Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Elias G. Coffin, who also perished in the sinking of the Caribou, and Hannah Hawkins of Channel, Newfoundland. Husband of Evelyn Chaisson of Port aux Basques. Father of Nathan Coffin.
On 14 October, 1942, at 3:21 a.m., the ferry Caribou was hit by a torpedo launched by U-69 25 miles (40 km) from Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. She sank in the Cabot Strait in 1,600 feet (488 m) of water with 136 people (crew, passengers and military) in position 47°19'N/59°29'W. The 101 survivors were recovered by the escort ship HMCS Grand-Mère (J258) and landed in North Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This sinking would be Canada's worst maritime tragedy in terms of human lives during the Second World War.
Digital gallery of Able Seaman James Hubert Coffin
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Photo of James Hurbert Coffin
In memory of the men and women who perished on the SS Caribou October 14th 1942. Submitted on behalf of the Twillingate (Newfoundland) Museum for the project, Operation Picture Me -
SS Caribou
In memory of the men and women who perished on the SS Caribou October 14th 1942. Submitted on behalf of the Twillingate (Newfoundland) Museum for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Museum
In memory of the men and women who perished on the SS Caribou October 14th 1942. Submitted on behalf of the Twillingate (Newfoundland) Museum for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Merchant Navy Monument in St. John's, NL
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Dedication
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Photo of JAMES HUBERT COFFIN
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman James Hubert Coffin
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman James Hubert Coffin
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman James Hubert Coffin
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman James Hubert Coffin
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman James Hubert Coffin
Digital gallery of
Able Seaman James Hubert Coffin
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 114 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance.
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